FREDONIA, WI – In rural Ozaukee County, a school bus crash on Monday morning resulted in eight students being hospitalized. The collision happened around 7:25 a.m. at an intersection.
Authorities report that a 32-year-old woman from West Bend, driving a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee, drove through a stop sign when the crash took place. The bus was hit in the center, causing it to overturn and land in a ditch.
The Random Lake School District bus was carrying 36 students. Superintendent Michael Trimberger confirmed that eight children were taken to the hospital with concussions and broken bones, though none of the injuries were life-threatening. Mental health support is being arranged for all students.
The Jeep driver and her 33-year-old passenger from Random Lake sustained minor injuries and were taken to a local hospital. Sheriff Christy Knowles noted this intersection has been a known danger spot and mentioned that glare from the sun may have played a role in the crash. Since 2010, there have been five crashes with injuries at this location.
Trimberger recognized the visibility issues with the stop sign on Jay Road and advocated for rumble strips to prevent future incidents.
The bus driver, aged 53, sustained minor injuries as well. With an ongoing shortage of bus drivers, the Northern Ozaukee School District stepped in to provide temporary assistance.
Parents collected the uninjured students from the scene, showcasing the community’s rapid response to the emergency.